HC Deb 01 July 1884 vol 289 cc1790-1
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that a credit has been proposed by the French Government for the blockade of Madagascar and for the permanent occupa- tion of Tamatave. Majunga, Vohemar, and other Malagasy ports; and, what steps Her Majesty's Ministers are taking to protect British commerce and to obtain compensation for the serious injury inflicted upon British subjects by the French invasion of Madagascar?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Her Majesty's Government are not aware that such a credit has been proposed. At the same time, I am not wishing to throw any doubt on the report to which the hon. Member refers. As regards the second part of the hon. Member's Question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I made to his similar Question on the 10th of June—namely, that an efficient Consular staff is watching over the interests of British subjects, and that claims for compensation cannot be settled till the conclusion of hostilities. If the hon. Member desires any information respecting Her Majesty's ships on the station, my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Admiralty will be able to supply it?

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

I understand from the answer of the noble Lord that it may be taken as a fact that a credit has been proposed by the French Government for the permanent occupation of what practically amounts to the East Sea Coast of Madagascar. I would, therefore, ask the noble Lord whether Her Majesty's Government acquiesces in this occupation of Malagasy territory by the French?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

No, Sir; what I said was, that the Foreign Office had not received any information on the subject. At the same time, I wish to point out to the hon. Member that the Foreign Office is not necessarily obliged to have information as to every subject of which the hon. Member reads an account in the newspapers.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

Then I beg to give Notice that when Her Majesty's Government introduce their proposal for the neutralization of Egypt and the Suez Canal, I shall move to add the words, "Madagascar, Tonquin, and Tunis."